maraca

noun

ma·​ra·​ca mə-ˈrä-kə How to pronounce maraca (audio) -ˈra- How to pronounce maraca (audio)
: a rattle usually made from a gourd that is used as a percussion instrument

Examples of maraca in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
On The Road, Alice smashing the song on piano (while Lilia smashes it on… maracas?) proves enough to vanquish the extremely Buffy-looking demon that appears at the top of the studio amid bursts of flame. Caroline Framke, Vulture, 3 Oct. 2024 The table itself was a visual feast, with colorful décor including mini piñata name tags and maracas strewn across the center. Lea Donenberg, Vogue, 6 May 2024 The play gym features three stages of learning (for lying down, tummy time, and sitting up), five repositionable toys, two maracas, and a machine-washable mat (which adults will appreciate). Maya Polton, Parents, 29 Mar. 2024 Available are 90 guitars, 62 keyboards, 24 bass guitars, 15 maracas, five ukeleles, two tambourines, and a couple of cowbells. Evens Sanon and Dánica Coto, The Christian Science Monitor, 19 Oct. 2023 Naert, a physicist at ENS Lyon in France, and his team have a unique take: Their contraption consists of a soundproofed glass container placed on a vibrating platform that shakes some 300 steel beads inside it like a quiet maraca. Sophia Chen, WIRED, 14 Oct. 2022 Lili includes four noisy spinners, two gears, a maraca in her tail, a five-bar xylophone on her back, a set of notches for a washboard sound, two clacking saddle blankets and two mallets that store in her head. Rachel Rothman, Good Housekeeping, 5 May 2022 Step 2 Fold the chain into the plastic jar, add degreaser or mineral spirits to cover, tighten the lid, and then shake it like a maraca for two minutes. Joe Lindsey, Outside Online, 6 Nov. 2020 The styrofoam-like innards slid out of my maraca and onto the floor, and the dog ate some. Washington Post, 24 Feb. 2022

Word History

Etymology

Portuguese maracá, from Tupi maraká

First Known Use

1598, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of maraca was in 1598

Dictionary Entries Near maraca

Cite this Entry

“Maraca.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/maraca. Accessed 30 Dec. 2024.

Kids Definition

maraca

noun
ma·​ra·​ca mə-ˈräk-ə How to pronounce maraca (audio) -ˈrak- How to pronounce maraca (audio)
: a dried gourd or a rattle like a gourd that contains dried seeds or pebbles and is used as a musical rhythm instrument usually played in pairs by shaking

More from Merriam-Webster on maraca

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!